Ah bloody hell (Said in a cockney accent).. The Mets (52-60) play the middle game of the series against the D-Bags (51-62) as I like to call them. In their way, will be (RHP) Max Scherzer. Here’s the skinny on Scherzer (6-6 4.01 ERA, 1.39 WHIP).
Full Name: Â Maxwell M. Scherzer
Born:  July 27,1984  in St. Louis, Missouri
Height:  6-3  Weight:  190  Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right
High School: Â Parkway Central (Chesterfield, Missouri)Â Â “Colts”
College: Â University of Missouri
Drafted: Â Selected by Arizona Diamondbacks in 1st Round (11th overall) of 2006 amateur entry draft (June-Reg)
Lifetime Record (6-10 3.70 ERA, 1.34 WHIP)
 Per MLB.com,
Scherzer has struggled in his last two outings, but offensive support has helped him avoid losses and instead come away with no decisions in those games. His last time out against the Pirates he held them to two runs through the first five innings before the Pirates scored three off him as part of a four-run sixth that chased him from the game. Over his last two outings he has allowed nine runs in 9 1/3 innings. It’s quite a contrast to his start prior to that stretch which also came against the Pirates on July 26. In that game he held the Bucs scoreless for seven innings while striking out eight.
Scherzer’s last 2 outings according to Foxsports –
Sat. Aug 1, 2009 – Scherzer allowed the Mets to score four runs on six hits in four innings Saturday en route to a no-decision.
He was pulled after four innings after just 87 pitches. He had gone 100+ in six of his previous eight starts, so pitch count was not a contributing factor in his exit. The Associated Press reports he hit 97 mph with his fastball, so lack of velocity was not a cause for struggle either.(RotoWire, 8:14:34 pm)
Jul 26, 2009 – Scherzer dominated the Pirates Sunday, striking out eight in seven scoreless innings.
Scherzer (6-6) allowed five hits without walking a batter on 109 pitches, lowering his ERA to 3.61. Scherzer picked up his first win since June 23 and looked much better than his last outing, when he allowed four runs on seven hits over four innings. Of course, that outing was at Coors Field and probably should have been discounted a little.(RotoWire, 5:56:43 pm)
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/playerNews?statsId=8193&fantasyNews=true
Scouting Report per Sprtsnet.ca –
Assets – Has a very projectable frame for a starting pitcher. Can be overpowering and downright nasty at times. Also has the stuff for short relief.
Flaws – Gets into trouble when he loses focus and the command of his fastball. Must remain dominant over several innings in order to thrive as a starter.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/players/Max_Scherzer/
Per thebaseballcube –
| Scouting Report | |
| Control: | 51 |
| K-Rating: | 100 |
| Efficiency: | 99 |
Control: Walks compared to batters faced.
k-Rating: Strikeouts compared to batters faced.
Efficiency: Similar to WHIP, a higher rating for pitchers allowing less baserunners per inning pitched.
The ratings are based on formulas that sum a player’s entire career based on available statistics in our database, including minor league and college data. These scouting scores are to be used as indicators of a player’s strength. A career minor leaguer might have a speed rating of 100 though this does not insinuate that he is a better runner than a major leaguer with a speed rating of 90. Though it does indicate that a player was an excellent base-stealer in the minors, we do not know how he would have fared in the majors.
***Tidbit - Scherzer was born with heterochromia; his right eye is blue and his left one is brown. (Wouldnt that be considered a distraction to the hitter? No? Well Im desperate for a win people.)
39 comments
GravediggerHebner
8/11/2009-3:42pm at 3:42 pm (UTC -4)
“Flaws – Gets into trouble when he loses focus”
So the question for the Mets is, will Maxwell be Smart? If he is smart, the Mets will miss beating him by that much.
metsfan4decades
8/11/2009-4:02pm at 4:02 pm (UTC -4)
***Tidbit – Scherzer was born with heterochromia; his right eye is blue and his left one is brown. (Wouldn’t that be considered a distraction to the hitter? No? Well I’m desperate for a win people.)
LOL. Think we’re all desperate for some wins…..
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-7:10pm at 7:10 pm (UTC -4)
He’s heterochromic??
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-6:12pm at 6:12 pm (UTC -4)
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0908/iconic.mets/content.1.html
asod75
8/11/2009-6:43pm at 6:43 pm (UTC -4)
I know minor league play is less about wins and losses and more about player development but here’s a fact that’s downright depressing: Not only are the Mets horrible right now, but just one (count em, one) of their minor-league affiliates is over .500 for the season and most teams are way below that threshold:
AAA Buffalo 44-68
AA Binghamton 44-68
Class A-Advanced St. Lucie 49-59
Class A Savannah 55-57
Class A (short-season) Brooklyn 32-19, 1st place in their division (we’ll take positives where we can get them)
Rookie-advanced Kingsport 17-25
Rookie GCL Mets 18-22
Overall record: 259-318, .449 winning pct.
trs86
8/11/2009-7:00pm at 7:00 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, there was mention today about how the organization wants Omar to field a winner in AAA.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-7:09pm at 7:09 pm (UTC -4)
Listening to the Houston radio team for their game in Florida tonight on Gameday Audio and they opened with: “…and there are dozens here [at LandShark Stadium].”
funny.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-7:22pm at 7:22 pm (UTC -4)
Might as well quit with this lineup:
Sullivan, cf
Castillo, 2b
Tatis, 3b
Murphy, 1b
Francoeur, rf
Reed, lf
Cora, ss
Schneider, c
Hernandez, rhp
dentulous
8/11/2009-7:32pm at 7:32 pm (UTC -4)
yeah, its going to be one ugly game…
then again, most of them are..sigh
GravediggerHebner
8/11/2009-7:33pm at 7:33 pm (UTC -4)
With Wright on the bench (I’m not arguing with it, he’s had only 1 infamous game off so far) the lineup features exactly 1 viable major league proven everyday hitter. Prepare to be pitched around Luis!
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-7:41pm at 7:41 pm (UTC -4)
Hopefully they install a ramp from the field to the dugout so we don’t lose our big threat again!
gategem
8/11/2009-10:00pm at 10:00 pm (UTC -4)
No need to worry about Luis being pitched around when the Mets illustrious manager has him bunt with runners in scoring position and less than two outs.
sabermetrician
8/11/2009-7:24pm at 7:24 pm (UTC -4)
Tatis is batting third tonight? Are we in Bizarro world?
asod75
8/11/2009-7:45pm at 7:45 pm (UTC -4)
As I said on my blog, this lineup reminds me of the putrid early 90s teams where on any given day you could find such legends as Joe Orsulak batting third and future Hall of Famers Chico Walker, Jeff McKnight and Charlie O’Brien in the lineup on a somewhat regular basis.
trs86
8/11/2009-7:47pm at 7:47 pm (UTC -4)
Hey that is my next remember when.
asod75
8/11/2009-7:53pm at 7:53 pm (UTC -4)
Where have you gone Dave Gallagher, our nation turns its lonely eyes to you. Woo woo. What’s that you say, Mrs. Wilpon, Dinkin’ Dave has left and gone away…..
metsfan4decades
8/11/2009-10:23pm at 10:23 pm (UTC -4)
LOL. Good one…
asod75
8/11/2009-7:52pm at 7:52 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry is taking his consistent lineup approach a bit too literally. I hate when managers give a star player a day off and insert an inferior player into the same spot in the order to keep everyone else in a consistent spot. It really doesn’t matter with this configuration, but I would probably bat Murphy third, Francoeur fourth and Tatis fifth. Is Pagan hurt or just getting the night off. I find it odd that Jerry would sit both Wright and Pagan in the same game, especially given this team’s ongoing struggles to score runs.
trs86
8/11/2009-7:57pm at 7:57 pm (UTC -4)
Well Pagan has been pretty rough this week too. But that being said, I have a feeling we are going to start to see a lot less Wright and Castillo and a lot more guys competing for next year.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-8:02pm at 8:02 pm (UTC -4)
Sadly, I don’t even expect to see anyone on September 1 worth watching. No, Eddie Kunz does not do it for me.
I saw some discussion of Josh Thole possibly being called up because he will have to go on the 40 man after the season anyway to be protected from the Rule V draft. Even if that is the case, I’d be surprised if he gets more than a handful of pinch hit appearances for three reasons. First, if he is truly not ready to catch in the major leagues then there’s no point in sending him out to the wolves (where he can also hur the performance of pitchers). Second, Santos is still being evaluated. Last and least, Schneider is playing for a contract and the veteran deserves a chance to prove himself to potential employers.
asod75
8/11/2009-8:10pm at 8:10 pm (UTC -4)
I would love to see Ruben Tejada up, but I doubt they’ll do it since he’s so young (will turn 20 next month). He’s got his average up to .295 with a solid OBP at Binghamton. I’d rather see a young kid than Anderson Hernandez at short. It’s pretty sad when the Mets are this bad and we’re being treated to the likes of Elmer Dessens and Tim Redding, to go along with other crappers like Takahashi, Pat Misch and Jon Switzer that have all seen time this year. This team must hate Bostick, because he’s never gotten a shot although he’s posted decent numbers this year. Kunz has been pretty bad (yet another great draft pick by Omar and Fight Club). What else does that leave. Tobi Stoner maybe? Too bad Gee and Niese are hurt, would have been nice to see them pitch down the stretch…..
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-8:23pm at 8:23 pm (UTC -4)
Bostick has been outstanding this season in his first as a reliever. With an ERA under 2.00 at AAA and at 2.60 in 17 AA innings. He’s also got a k rate of over 10 per 9 for the season. His one problem at AAA has been his high walk rate, which you can live with somewhat if he strikes batters out too.
I am pretty surprised we have not seen him yet this year.
trs86
8/11/2009-8:25pm at 8:25 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, why not him instead of Takawhatever and Mistch?
asod75
8/11/2009-8:28pm at 8:28 pm (UTC -4)
I’ve always found that when your favorite team is struggling, it’s much easier to get behind them when you get a chance to see young players late in the year. Looks like we won’t even get that. What a waste of a season. An organizational change is beyond overdue….
trs86
8/11/2009-8:23pm at 8:23 pm (UTC -4)
Well I was referring to Pagan, Reed, Sullivan, Murphy, Anderson Hernandez, Santos, …
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-8:30pm at 8:30 pm (UTC -4)
I know. And I’m sure you don’t have any interest in seeing a whole lot of any of them either, with the possible exceptions of Murphy and Pagan (and can someone please tell the writers to stop hyping Pagan as a possible starter in LF next season).
asod75
8/11/2009-8:32pm at 8:32 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, to me Pagan looks like a great fourth outfielder but counting on him to start would be making the same mistake the team made with relying on Murphy this year. Give us a proven outfield bat with power, please.
trs86
8/11/2009-8:35pm at 8:35 pm (UTC -4)
No you know I am not looking for either to start but fact is all of those guys are competing for a spot on next year’s team.
trs86
8/11/2009-7:46pm at 7:46 pm (UTC -4)
OK so where the hell is Sheff? How can we trade him if he does not play?
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-8:03pm at 8:03 pm (UTC -4)
Hopefully in the trainer’s room applying the cream or the clear.
prismo
8/11/2009-8:13pm at 8:13 pm (UTC -4)
He’s starting tomorrow.
GravediggerHebner
8/11/2009-8:46pm at 8:46 pm (UTC -4)
As far as Sept. callups go this was the theory on that from the Buffalo writer after Omar’s press conference up there yesterday:
“(Nick) Evans and pitcher Eddie Kunz are the most likely September callups although more players (outfielder Jesus Feliciano and pitcher Adam Bostick would be key names) could go to New York if the Mets fall completely out of the race.”
asod75
8/11/2009-8:51pm at 8:51 pm (UTC -4)
Aren’t they completely out of the race now?
trs86
8/11/2009-8:53pm at 8:53 pm (UTC -4)
Why would the not bring up those guys, they ARE completely out of the Race. Unless they are taking the tortoise approach.
GravediggerHebner
8/11/2009-8:54pm at 8:54 pm (UTC -4)
I can only guess that he was coyly phrasing “mathematically eliminated.”
JoeR
8/11/2009-8:57pm at 8:57 pm (UTC -4)
on SI site they have 19 iconic photos of the Mets through the years. One was of Reyes and Wright from 2005. Wow so my question is, and I know my answer, 5 years later is Reyes where you thought he would be??
GravediggerHebner
8/11/2009-8:59pm at 8:59 pm (UTC -4)
Yup. On the DL.
trs86
8/11/2009-9:05pm at 9:05 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, but if healthy I think he would be. I never expected much more than what he did last year.
whataputz
8/11/2009-9:46pm at 9:46 pm (UTC -4)
good idea to bunt with noone out. Tatis will certainly not hit a ground ball to third base. You have Livan pitching against this line-up, and you think 1 run is going to win this? The team is going nowhere, must we watch them give up outs.